YOUNG FARMERS' CLASS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12904, 15 February 1906, Page 7

YOUNG FARMERS' CLASS.

Ia Gloucestershire" a. nover competitionhas grown up which is evoking- a very widespread interest, not only m the home county, but in others as well. ft is known as the Young Farmers' Examinations. Some six years ago Lord Fitzhardinge offered a very substantial prize to be competed for by young farmers, the conditions being that each should thatch a rick of either hay or corn, make or lay a piece of hedge, and clean the ditch and repair the banks in a workmanlike manner. Having done, this, they have, to tackle an examination .paper set by Professor Blundell, of Cirencester, and that it is pretty stiff is shown by the following questions .- "What capital would you require in taking a farm (Lady Day entry) of 150 acres in the Berkley Vale, one-third of which would be arable and the rest good pasture land? State how you would apportion your capital in stock, implements, etci What rent and taxes would you expect to pay? and what would your labour cost per year?" Having answered eight, similar questions, the young farmers have to face the third day's trial, which firstly consists of a viva voce examination by Professor Blundell, and then they are passed on to the other examiner, who firstly asks their opinion of dairy cows in milk, value, mixing properties, and such like. Next they have to estimate the value of a springer, and answer certain questions in reference to her. Next comes a test of another sort regarding a fat Shorthorn heifer. Questions .are asked as to, weight, value per pound, etc. This is followed by a visit to a polled heifer with the same tests. A knowledge of sheep is the next trial, the questions relating to age, breed, quality, weight, and general value. This obstacle surmounted the candidates are confronted by a pen of fat bacon pigs, and have to speak as to their weight, value, breed, etc For the final test two horses are introduced, one being somewhat unsound, the other without blemish. Then comes the test of age, sight, soundness, and general market value. Until this last eo-uple of seasons the desired knowledge has had to be self obtained, but recently the Gloucestershire County Council's agricultural expert has been" holding a series of classes at Berkeley, especially in view of preparation for these examinations, and the interest shown is such that one young farmer has been in the habit of driving sixteen miles from his home every week to attend these classes. This year" the numbers were slightly smaller, but there was new blood amongst the competitor. Mv James Peter, the able steward to the Berkeley estates, is the moving spirit in this matter, whilst the young farmers have evinced the desire of einulation amongst themselves. It is noticeable already how the already how the thatching of ricks, as wel as the condition of the fences, has improved around Berkeley as the -result of these examinations.